Ayanda, better known as Aya, is a singer, songwriter, actress and television presenter best-known as one of the top six finalists on
Idols in 2005. Born in Swaziland and raised in Zambia and Durban, Aya obtained a degree in music and drama from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Her experience on
Idols earned her a record deal with Sony BMG. She released her debut album,
A State of Aya, in 2007.
Aya’s recording career led to a new role in television; producers from Black Rage spotted her presenting potential during an interview on
Noted. She passed a screen test to present SABC1’s music chat show,
Soul Sundays. Devoted to her music, which she regards as a representation of her identity, Aya brings a unique, authentic and vibrantly inquisitive angle to
Talk SA. She says, “I’m a diverse woman, I think in both Zulu and English, I am as much an urban girl as a rural one. I’m raring to go and excited at diving into the mass of topics, issues, conversations, and stories
Talk SA will deal with through the year.”
Azaria, born in Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga, started acting and dancing professionally in 2005 when she performed at the Witbank Civic Theatre in
Create the Creators alongside Siphiwe Nkosi. The following year she began working with acclaimed playwright, Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom, on the play,
Cards, in which she helped create the role of Mimi, a pregnant prostitute. She carried on in the play changing roles when it performed at the State Theatre in Pretoria. She continued working with Grootboom in his plays,
Telling Stories and
Township Stories in productions staged in South Africa, Europe and Australia.
With her natural fearlessness, Azaria makes a perfect match with the ideals of
Talk SA, she speaks isiZulu, Setswana, Sepedi, siSwati, Xitsonga and English. “It’s a fascinating show to be part of, every week we look at a different story, and it’s not just people on a couch,
Talk SA gets the nation talking,” she says.
Talk SA is a show about nation building and covers issues relating to days and places of national importance. This show also touches on issues of disability, HIV/AIDS and the plight of minority communities and rural areas.
Talk SA shares opinions while engaging in healthy communication and tells the true, often ignored South African story. It features colourful personalities with stories of courage and tragedy. Watch SABC2 on Tuesdays at 11:20 from 5 July as Ayanda and Azaria get our nation talking on
Talk SA.